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Iranian Journal of Public Health Jan 2024Influenza is the first infectious disease that implements global monitoring and is one of the major public health issues in the world. Air pollutants have become an... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Influenza is the first infectious disease that implements global monitoring and is one of the major public health issues in the world. Air pollutants have become an important global public health issue, in recent years, and much epidemiological and clinical evidence has shown that air pollutants are associated with respiratory diseases.
METHODS
We comprehensively searched articles published up to 15 November 2022 in PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Database of Chinese sci-tech periodicals, and Wanfang Database. The search strategies were based on keyword combinations related to influenza and air pollutants. The air pollutants included particulate matter (PM, PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO), sulfur dioxide (SO), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O). Meta-analysis was performed using the R programming language (R4.2.1).
RESULTS
A total of 2926 records were identified and 1220 duplicates were excluded. Finally, 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. We observed a significant association between partial air pollutants (PM, NO, PM and SO) and the incidence risk of influenza. The RRs were 1.0221 (95% CI: 1.0093~1.0352), 1.0395 (95% CI: 1.0131~1.0666), 1.007 (95% CI: 1.0009~1.0132), and 1.0352 (95% CI. 1.0076~1.0635), respectively. However, there was no significant relationship between CO and O exposure and influenza, and the RRs were 1.2272 (95% CI: 0.9253~1.6275) and 1.0045 (95% CI: 0.9930~1.0160), respectively.
CONCLUSION
Exposure to PM, NO, PM, and SO was significantly associated with influenza, which may be risk factors for influenza. The association of CO and O with influenza needs further investigation.
PubMed: 38694869
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v53i1.14678 -
NPJ Microgravity Apr 2024A systematic review of literature was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of passive countermeasures in ameliorating the cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal effects... (Review)
Review
A systematic review of literature was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of passive countermeasures in ameliorating the cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal effects of gravitational unloading on humans during spaceflight. This systematic review is the third of a series being conducted by the European Space Agency to evaluate the effectiveness of countermeasures to physiologic deconditioning during spaceflight. With future long-duration space missions on the horizon, it is critical to understand the effectiveness of existing countermeasures to promote astronaut health and improve the probability of future mission success. An updated search for studies examining passive countermeasures was conducted in 2021 to supplement results from a broader search conducted in 2017 for all countermeasures. Ground-based analogue and spaceflight studies were included in the search. A total of 647 articles were screened following removal of duplicates, of which 16 were included in this review. Data extraction and analysis, quality assessment of studies, and transferability of reviewed studies to actual spaceflight based on their bed-rest protocol were conducted using dedicated tools created by the Aerospace Medicine Systematic Review Group. Of the 180 examined outcomes across the reviewed studies, only 20 were shown to have a significant positive effect in favour of the intervention group. Lower body negative pressure was seen to significantly maintain orthostatic tolerance (OT) closer to baseline as comparted to control groups. It also was seen to have mixed efficacy with regards to maintaining resting heart rate close to pre-bed rest values. Whole body vibration significantly maintained many balance-related outcome measures close to pre-bed rest values as compared to control. Skin surface cooling and centrifugation both showed efficacy in maintaining OT. Centrifugation also was seen to have mixed efficacy with regards to maintaining VO2max close to pre-bed rest values. Overall, standalone passive countermeasures showed no significant effect in maintaining 159 unique outcome measures close to their pre-bed rest values as compared to control groups. Risk of bias was rated high or unclear in all studies due to poorly detailed methodologies, poor control of confounding variables, and other sources of bias (i.e. inequitable recruitment of participants leading to a higher male:female ratios). The bed-rest transferability (BR) score varied from 2-7, with a median score of 5. Generally, most studies had good BR transferability but underreported on factors such as control of sunlight or radiation exposure, diet, level of exercise and sleep-cycles. We conclude that: (1) Lack of standardisation of outcome measurement and methodologies has led to large heterogeneity amongst studies; (2) Scarcity of literature and high risk of bias amongst existing studies limits the statistical power of results; and (3) Passive countermeasures have little or no efficacy as standalone measures against cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal deconditioning induced by spaceflight related to physiologic deterioration due to gravity un-loading.
PubMed: 38664498
DOI: 10.1038/s41526-024-00389-1 -
Environment International May 2024Potential effect of greenspace exposure on human microbiota have been explored by a number of observational and interventional studies, but the results remained mixed....
BACKGROUND
Potential effect of greenspace exposure on human microbiota have been explored by a number of observational and interventional studies, but the results remained mixed. We comprehensively synthesized these studies by performing a systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
METHODS
Comprehensive literature searches in three international databases (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science) and three Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and China Biology Medicine disc) were conducted from inception to November 1, 2023. Observational and interventional studies that evaluated associations between greenspace exposure and human microbiota at different anatomical sites were included. Studies were assessed using the National Toxicology Program's office of Health Assessment and Translation risk of bias tool and certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. Two authors independently performed study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment, and evidence grading. Study results were synthesized descriptively.
RESULTS
Twenty studies, including 11 observational studies and 9 interventional studies, were finally included into the systematic review. The microbiota of the included studies was from gut (n = 13), skin (n = 10), oral cavity (n = 5), nasal cavity (n = 5) and eyes (n = 1). The majority of studies reported the associations of greenspace exposure with increased diversity (e.g., richness and Shannon index) and/or altered overall composition of human gut (n = 12) and skin microbiota (n = 8), with increases in the relative abundance of probiotics (e.g., Ruminococcaceae) and decreases in the relative abundance of pathogens (e.g., Streptococcus and Escherichia/Shigella). Due to limited number of studies, evidence concerning greenspace and oral, nasal, and ocular microbiota were still inconclusive.
CONCLUSION
The current evidence suggests that greenspace exposure may diversify gut and skin microbiota and alter their composition to healthier profiles. These findings would be helpful in uncovering the potential mechanisms underlying greenspace and human health and in promoting a healthier profile of human microbiota.
Topics: Humans; Microbiota; Environmental Exposure
PubMed: 38653130
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108662 -
Canadian Journal of Diabetes Apr 2024Our aim in this study was to systematically assess the association of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) vs dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i)...
Association of SGLT2i vs DPP4i With Pneumonia, COVID-19, and Other Adverse Respiratory Events in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim in this study was to systematically assess the association of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) vs dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) with pneumonia, COVID-19, and adverse respiratory events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were retrieved to include studies on DM patients receiving SGLT2i (exposure group) or DPP4i (control group). Stata version 15.0 statistical software was used for the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Ten studies were included, all 10 of which were used for the qualitative review and 7 for the meta-analysis. According to the meta-analysis, patients receiving SGLT2i had a lower incidence of pneumonia (odds ratio [OR] 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51 to 0.74) and pneumonia risk (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.68, p=0.000) compared with those receiving DPP4i. The same situation was seen for mortality for pneumonia (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.60) and pneumonia mortality risk (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.51). There was lower mortality due to COVID-19 (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.34) and a lower hospitalization rate (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.68, p=0.000) and incidence of mechanical ventilation (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.83, p=0.000) due to COVID-19 in patients with type 2 DM receiving SGLT2i. Qualitative analysis results show that SGLT2i was associated with a lower incidence of COVID-19, lower risk of obstructive airway disease events, and lower hospitalization rate of health-care-associated pneumonia than DPP4i.
CONCLUSION
In patients with type 2 DM, SGLT2i are associated with a lower risk of pneumonia, COVID-19, and mortality than DPP4i.
PubMed: 38636589
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2024.04.009 -
EBioMedicine May 2024This study investigates the associations between air pollution and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and survival from an epigenomic perspective. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
This study investigates the associations between air pollution and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and survival from an epigenomic perspective.
METHODS
Using a newly developed Air Pollutants Exposure Score (APES), we utilized a prospective cohort study (UK Biobank) to investigate the associations of individual and combined air pollution exposures with CRC incidence and survival, followed by an up-to-date systematic review with meta-analysis to verify the associations. In epigenetic two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses, we examine the associations between genetically predicted DNA methylation related to air pollution and CRC risk. Further genetic colocalization and gene-environment interaction analyses provided different insights to disentangle pathogenic effects of air pollution via epigenetic modification.
FINDINGS
During a median 12.97-year follow-up, 5767 incident CRC cases among 428,632 participants free of baseline CRC and 533 deaths in 2401 patients with CRC were documented in the UK Biobank. A higher APES score was associated with an increased CRC risk (HR, 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01-1.06; P = 0.016) and poorer survival (HR, 1.13, 95% CI = 1.03-1.23; P = 0.010), particularly among participants with insufficient physical activity and ever smokers (P > 0.05). A subsequent meta-analysis of seven observational studies, including UK Biobank data, corroborated the association between PM exposure (per 10 μg/m increment) and elevated CRC risk (RR,1.42, 95% CI = 1.12-1.79; P = 0.004; I = 90.8%). Genetically predicted methylation at PM-related CpG site cg13835894 near TMBIM1/PNKD and cg16235962 near CXCR5, and NO-related cg16947394 near TMEM110 were associated with an increased CRC risk. Gene-environment interaction analysis confirmed the epigenetic modification of aforementioned CpG sites with CRC risk and survival.
INTERPRETATION
Our study suggests the association between air pollution and CRC incidence and survival, underscoring the possible modifying roles of epigenomic factors. Methylation may partly mediate pathogenic effects of air pollution on CRC, with annotation to epigenetic alterations in protein-coding genes TMBIM1/PNKD, CXCR5 and TMEM110.
FUNDING
Xue Li is supported by the Natural Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of Zhejiang Province (LR22H260001), the National Nature Science Foundation of China (No. 82204019) and Healthy Zhejiang One Million People Cohort (K-20230085). ET is supported by a Cancer Research UK Career Development Fellowship (C31250/A22804). MGD is supported by the MRC Human Genetics Unit Centre Grant (U127527198).
Topics: Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Colorectal Neoplasms; DNA Methylation; Environmental Exposure; Epigenesis, Genetic; Epigenomics; Gene-Environment Interaction; Incidence; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38631091
DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105126 -
European Journal of Dermatology : EJD Feb 2024Gel manicures have become part of a popular personal care service in the last two decades due to increased longevity of the polish and the added strength to the nail...
Gel manicures have become part of a popular personal care service in the last two decades due to increased longevity of the polish and the added strength to the nail plate. Prolonged exposure to nail ultraviolet (UV) lamps is required to cure the gel polish. Despite the increased use of UV nail lamps, there is limited consensus in the literature on the risk of skin malignancy associated with UV nail lamps. The objective of this article was to provide a systematic review of the risk of skin malignancy associated with the use of UV nail lamps and to synthesize evidence-based recommendations on their safe usage. A systematic review of the literature was conducted on the databases, Medline and Embase, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The search yielded 2,331 non-duplicate articles. Nine were ultimately included, of which three were case reports, one was a cross-sectional study, and five were experimental studies. The risk of bias per the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines was high or unclear, likely due to the number of case reports included. Prolonged and repeated exposure to UV nail lamps may pose a low risk of skin cancer. It is important to note that the available evidence is weak, and patients should be informed about the limited data to make their own decisions. Dermatologists and other healthcare providers should be updated with the latest evidence to address patients' concerns about gel manicures and suggest practices which can effectively reduce the risk of cutaneous malignancy associated with gel manicures, such as the use of UV-blocking gloves or properly applied sunscreens.
Topics: Humans; Beauty; Cross-Sectional Studies; Skin Neoplasms; Nails; Sunscreening Agents; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 38557455
DOI: 10.1684/ejd.2024.4616 -
Environmental Research Jul 2024Exposure to cadmium may increase risk of urolithiasis, but the results remain inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to access the association... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Exposure to cadmium may increase risk of urolithiasis, but the results remain inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to access the association between cadmium exposure and urolithiasis. We searched Medline/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Central for studies. The primary outcome was the incidence of urolithiasis compared to reference groups. We used relative risk as the summary effect measure. This meta-analysis included eight observational studies and divided into 39 study populations. Among 63,051 subjects, 5018 (7.96%) individuals had urolithiasis. The results indicated that people with an increment of 0.1 μg/g creatinine in urinary cadmium had a 2% increased risk of urolithiasis (pooled relative risk [RR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.03) and there is no difference in the risk of urolithiasis in high and low cadmium exposure levels. Meanwhile, people with an increment of 0.1 μg/L in urinary cadmium had a 4% increased risk of urolithiasis (pooled RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.07). Our findings also showed similar associations in both sex, different region (Sweden, China, and Thailand), general and occupational population. The results indicate that cadmium exposure was significantly associated with an elevated risk of urolithiasis. Therefore, it is imperative to take steps to minimize cadmium exposure.
Topics: Urolithiasis; Cadmium; Humans; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants
PubMed: 38527716
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118745 -
Journal of Robotic Surgery Mar 2024The efficacy and safety of robotic-assisted pedicle screw placement compared to traditional fluoroscopy-guided techniques are of great interest in the field of spinal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The efficacy and safety of robotic-assisted pedicle screw placement compared to traditional fluoroscopy-guided techniques are of great interest in the field of spinal surgery. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the outcomes of these two methods in patients with spinal diseases. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. We included randomized controlled trials comparing robotic-assisted and fluoroscopy-guided pedicle screw placement in patients with spinal diseases. Outcome measures included the accuracy of pedicle screw placement, postoperative complication rates, intraoperative radiation exposure time, and duration of surgery. Data were analyzed using Stata software. Our analysis included 12 studies. It revealed significantly higher accuracy in pedicle screw placement with robotic assistance (odds ratio [OR] = 2.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.20-3.64, P < 0.01). Postoperative complication rates, intraoperative radiation exposure time, and duration of surgery were similar between the two techniques (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.31 to 1.68, P = 0.56 for complication rates; weighted mean difference [WMD] = - 0.13, 95% CI = - 0.93 to 0.68, P = 0.86 for radiation exposure time; WMD = 0.30, 95% CI = - 0.06 to 0.66, P = 0.06 for duration of surgery). Robotic-assisted pedicle screw placement offers superior placement accuracy compared to fluoroscopy-guided techniques. Postoperative complication rates, intraoperative radiation exposure time, and duration of surgery were comparable for both methods. Future studies should explore the potential for fewer complications with the robotic-assisted approach as suggested by the lower point estimate.
Topics: Humans; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Pedicle Screws; Spinal Fusion; Spinal Diseases; Fluoroscopy; Postoperative Complications; Surgery, Computer-Assisted; Lumbar Vertebrae
PubMed: 38492043
DOI: 10.1007/s11701-024-01874-1 -
The Science of the Total Environment May 2024Ambient particulate matter (PM) has been recognized as inducing oxidative stress, which could contribute to mitochondrial damage and dysfunction. However, studies... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Ambient particulate matter (PM) has been recognized as inducing oxidative stress, which could contribute to mitochondrial damage and dysfunction. However, studies investigating the association between ambient PM and mitochondria, particularly mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN), have yielded inconsistent results.
METHODS
We conducted comprehensive literature searches to identify observational studies published before July 17, 2023, examining the association between ambient PM exposure and mtDNA-CN. Meta-analysis using random effects model was employed to calculate the pooled effect estimates for general individual exposures, as well as for prenatal exposure with specific trimester. Additionally, the quality and level of evidence for each exposure-outcome pair was evaluated.
RESULTS
A total of 10 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The results indicated that general individual exposure to PM (β = -0.084, 95 % CI: -0.521, 0.353; I = 93 %) and PM (β = 0.035, 95 % CI: -0.129, 0.199; I = 95 %) did not significantly affect mtDNA-CN. Prenatal exposure to PM (β = 0.023, 95 % CI: -0.087, 0.133; I = 0 %) and PM (β = 0.006, 95 % CI: -0.135; 0.147; I = 51 %) were also not significantly associated with mtDNA-CN in offspring. The level of evidence for each tested exposure-outcome pair was assessed as "inadequate."
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that there is an "inadequate" strength of evidence for the association between general individual or prenatal exposure to ambient PM and mtDNA-CN. Future research necessitates studies with more rigorous design, enhanced control of confounding factors, and improved measures of exposure to substantiate our findings.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Particulate Matter; DNA, Mitochondrial; Air Pollution; DNA Copy Number Variations; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Mitochondria; Environmental Exposure; Air Pollutants
PubMed: 38442762
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171423 -
Marine Environmental Research Apr 2024Microplastics (5 mm - 1 μm) have become one of the major pollutants in the environment. Numerous studies have shown that microplastics can have negative impacts on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Microplastics (5 mm - 1 μm) have become one of the major pollutants in the environment. Numerous studies have shown that microplastics can have negative impacts on aquatic organisms, affecting their liver function levels. However, the extent of these effects and their potential toxicological mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study, a meta-analysis and systematic review were conducted to assess the effects of microplastics on fish liver function and summarize the potential toxicological mechanisms of microplastic-induced liver toxicity. The meta-analysis results indicate that compared to the control group, exposure to microplastics significantly affects fish liver indicators: aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p < 0.001), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p < 0.001), total protein (TP) (p < 0.001), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p < 0.001), including oxidative stress indicators: superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p < 0.001), glutathione S-transferase (GST) (p < 0.001), glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.001), and malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.001) in fish liver. For fish living in different environments, the potential toxicological mechanisms of microplastics exposure on fish liver may exhibit some differences. For freshwater fish, the mechanism may be that microplastics exposure causes overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in fish hepatocyte mitochondria. ROS promotes the expression of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and activates downstream molecules myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) of the TLR2 signaling pathway, leading to phosphorylation of NF-κB p65. This leads to the release of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress and inflammation in fish liver. In addition, for seawater fish, the mechanism may be that microplastics exposure can cause damage or death of fish hepatocytes, leading to continuous pathological changes, inflammation, lipid and energy metabolism disorders, thereby causing significant changes in liver function indexes.
Topics: Animals; Microplastics; Plastics; Toll-Like Receptor 2; Reactive Oxygen Species; Liver; Oxidative Stress; Glutathione; Inflammation; Fishes
PubMed: 38442589
DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106423